Flavors To Suit You To A Tea!

Happy National Hot Tea Month! Although a soothing, aromatic cup of hot tea is a welcome sight at any time of the year, it is not hard to imagine why January was chosen as the official month for celebrating tea. After all, there is nothing better than warming up with a hot cup of your favorite blend on a chilly winter day.

Put a TWIST to your everyday tea with these common add-on ingredients.

VANILLA
Try vanilla in orange teas, Earl Grays or oolongs.  It only takes a drop or two of vanilla extract to add big flavor to a cup of tea.  Or infuse vanilla into loose leaf tea before brewing.  For a cup of tea leaves, add 1 vanilla bean (cut lengthwise to let the flavor escape) and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.  Put it in an airtight container, shake to mix and let it infuse for at least a week.

FRUIT JAM
Swirl a spoonful of fruit jam in English Breakfast tea instead of (or in addition to) sugar or honey.  It's a popular in tradition in Russia and Korea, and it brings out tea's natural flavors.

CINNAMON
In a teacup, breakup a cinnamon stick or add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder.  Add boiling water and let it steep 10 minutes.  Add a favorite teabag and let it steep a few minutes longer. Cinnamon, an antimicrobial, can help reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar.  In addition, it's spicy scent can boost brain functions.

COCONUT MILK
Lactose-free coconut milk is a creamy substitute to cow's milk that can be a tasty option for lactose intolerant individuals.  It's especially good with chai and green teas.

LEMON PEEL
While lemon juice is a classic tea trimming, lemon peel adds a vitamin and mineral boost that's more than 5 times what's found in lemon juice.  Just grate it and sprinkle into your tea!